Exploring alternatives to constantly buying new crap

This may be a bit crazy, but I’m already getting anxious about how close we are to Spring. Earlier this week I clipped a few little leaves from my spinach plants but nothing else was ready. At least there’ll be another batch of radishes ready soon. Anyhow, to the shops!

First stop: Wheatsville Co-op

Bell pepper, 0.46 pounds: $0.92

Celery, 0.65 pounds: $1.29

Russet potatoes, 1.60 pounds: $2.38

Carrots, 1.28 pounds: $2.47

Jalapeño, 0.03 pounds: $0.05

Avocado, x1: $1.99

White onions, 0.78 pounds: $1.55

Baby spinach, 0.26 pounds: 1.82

Vegan cheddar, 7.10 ounces: $4.99

Berry spread: $3.49

Corn tortillas, x30: $1.49

Toilet paper, x2: $1.58

Wheat flour, 0.85 pounds: $2.54

Brown rice, 1.18 pounds: $2.96

Split peas, 0.73 pounds: $1.31

Spelt, 0.62 pounds: $1.56

Coconut milk, 64 ounces: $2.69

Tofurkey sausage, 4 sausages: $3.99

Total: $39.20

More food substitutes for my husband. Sausage, milk, and even cheese. He was thrilled. Apparently, the vegan cheddar tastes very close to the real thing, but the number of ingredients is crazy. I’m glad he understands that I won’t be getting him that stuff every week.

Also, I love the idea of buying flour from the bulk bins since I sometimes get in a rut and don’t make any bread for a while, but $3 a pound? This may be the only time I do such a thing. There’s space in the freezer anyhow.

On the plus side, a bulk bin full of baby spinach? That’s fantastic! My cravings are finally satisfied, and without a single-use bag of guilt to accompany them.

Next Stop: Downtown Farmers Market

Mushrooms: $4.00

Meyer lemon: $1.00

Watermelon radish, 1 bunch: $2.75

Heirloom tomatoes, 1 basket: $6.00

Spaghetti squash, 1 basket: $4.00

Red cabbage: $2.00

Total: $19.75

These were some of the very last tomatoes from Engel Farms for the season. I was getting spoiled having tomatoes constantly available, guess I’ll have to learn other things to eat.